As someone who works in pharma currently, I have seen the same. The pharmacovigilance unit does search the internet/social media for AE's, off-label use, etc (depending on region). Secondly every single person in the company also needs to report events when they see/hear/read them. So not having that social-media department wouldn't be doing much, not all thousands of employees can/will/want to avoid social media.
Thanks. I can well believe my experience (ca. 2014) is a little outdated. I would imagine they is still quite difficult to sell social listening into as a sector, but it makes sense that eventually you have to take your head out of the sand.
